Flying Rings

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Flying Rings was a gymnastic event similar to Still Rings, but with the performer gripping a pair of rings, approximately shoulder width apart, swinging back and forth while executing a series of stunts. Whereas still rings are now suspended from a support 5.75 meters above the floor, flying rings – also used as still rings in the past – were on cables up to 22 feet in length - the extra four feet allowing the gymnast to swing through an impressive arc. The rings themselves were at times larger and heavier than competition still rings today, designed on a steel core covered by rubber or leather. There is some evidence that the event took place in an international contest in the late 1800s, if not earlier. Records from Princeton University indicate one of its students, H. G. Otis, won the Eastern Intercollegiate Championships in flying rings in 1902. In America, the event persisted on a regular basis in both NCAA and AAU gymnastic competitions until the early 1960s, when those governing bodies eliminated the flying rings in future meets in an effort to correlate apparatus and performances with those in the modern Olympic Games. Frank Snay, of Navy, was the last winner in the NCAA event in 1961. It is difficult to ascertain if flying rings ever existed in the Olympic Games, for records occasionally cite medalists in "flying rings" when in fact the event may have been the still rings.

Another reason flying rings was removed from intercollegiate competitions is the dangerous nature of the event, with the gymnast soaring to a height of 15 feet or so at each end of a swing. To start a performance, the gymnast jumped up, grabbed, and hung from the rings; then an assistant pulled or pushed him, starting his swing. As the gymnast swung, he would do pikes, dislocates or front or back-uprises at the ends of his arc to build up height. A typical routine would show a number of "flying" dislocates or inlocates (a dislocate leading directly to a support above the rings or a handstand was called a flange). The performer might also do additional moves typical of the still rings while in flight, such as a flying cross. After several passes the routine would end with a (usually) spectacular dismount, normally off a front swing - with fellow gymnasts in place, prepared to help break a fall if the move failed. No nets or other safety devices, apart from standard gym mats, were used in competition, although when training gymnasts frequently used a flying mechanic (a suspended support rig).

Flying rings was very popular with spectators, for it had the unmistakable aura of a daring circus performance. Gymnasts at Muscle Beach, California would frequently do astounding dismounts from a great height.